Ways for Children to Cope With Anger in the Classroom
Children can go from happy to angry in an instant, whether a crayon breaks or they're upset about something happening at home. Some children get withdrawn when they're angry while others lash out, so be prepared with a variety of options to help children deal with anger. Remove the child from the other students until she's calm by moving her to a separate table or taking her out of the room.
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Feelings Puppets
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Children who are in the middle of a fit of anger may struggle to identify their feelings. Once the child is able to say "I feel angry" he may feel as though he's been understood and be able to calm himself down. Create feelings puppets with all children. Give each child three paper lunch bags and art supplies. Instruct each child to decorate one puppet each to look sad, happy and angry. Store the puppets in the room. When a child is having a fit, pull out his puppets and ask him to point to the one that shows what he's feeling.
Quiet Corner
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Create a special area of the classroom that is exclusively for children to use when they're feeling angry. Block off a corner using bookshelves or other pieces of high furniture. Use solid pieces of furniture so they don't fall over if the child hits or kicks them. Put pillows on the ground. Bright posters may stimulate children and get them even more worked up, so leave walls blank. Angry children can go and curl up on the pillows or stomp them with their feet away from others.
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Get Physical
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If a child gets violent when she gets angry, remove her from the classroom and give her some physical activities to do. This will give her sensory input and help her burn off some of her anger. Take her to a quiet hallway or empty room. Have the child crawl or hop up and down the hall. She can also jump rope or push her hands against a wall. These activities might even strike the child as silly and make her laugh.
Write it Out
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Oftentimes a child will feel better once he has vented his anger. Assign each child a notebook and keep them in an accessible place. Explain to children that these are their feelings books. Whenever a child feels angry or hurt, he can get his book and write or draw about whatever is upsetting him. Let children know that they are also welcome to talk to a teacher if they're still upset afterward, but venting will help children get past outbursts of anger.
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References
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